Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
ZIMBABWE has issued a strong call for international investment in climate-smart agriculture, highlighting the urgent need for global support in the face of climate change, which poses a severe threat to agriculture-dependent economies in the Global South.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Vangelis Haritatos, made this appeal at the opening of the 2025 Policies Against Hunger Conference in Berlin, Germany yesterday.
In his address, Deputy Minister Haritatos emphasised the vulnerability of global food systems, which heavily rely on rain-fed agriculture and lack the adaptive capacity to cope with the increasing frequency of climate disruptions.
“Zimbabwe’s agriculture and food systems, like those of many developing countries, find themselves at a critical juncture.
“The cycles of disruptive weather phenomena are straining the national budget, reducing export revenues, weakening economic growth and undermining national security,” he said.
Zimbabwe has made notable strides in climate adaptation through various initiatives, including agro-ecological zoning, dam construction and conservation agriculture.
However, Deputy Minister Haritatos said that the pace of these interventions is lagging behind the rapid onset of climate-related challenges.
“The pace at which we are implementing these interventions is slower than the pace at which climate-related disruptions are occurring,” he stated, highlighting the urgent need for increased support.
He cited constrained fiscal space, limited external financing and low levels of innovation as significant barriers to progress.
The deputy minister called for enhanced international partnerships, particularly in agricultural research, fertiliser production, irrigation development and cold-chain infrastructure.
“We are committed to sustainable agriculture and ending hunger. Together, we can turn policies into tangible progress,” he asserted, rallying the global community to act decisively.
This year’s conference, themed “From rights to action! The right to food as a compass for resilient food systems”, runs from June 23 to 25, bringing together ministers, policy experts, and development organisations.
The aim is to forge global strategies for food security, a mission that has never been more urgent given the escalating climate crisis.
Despite the challenges posed by the 2023–24 El Niño-induced drought, Zimbabwe has reported a 6,6 percent increase in the area planted with summer cereals for the 2024/25 season, totalling over 2,27 million hectares.
Total food production is projected at 2,93 million tonnes, with national grain stocks expected to cover domestic needs until March 2026.
“There has been a 290 percent increase in food crop production compared to last season, including significant gains in millet, sorghum, and sweet potatoes,” said Deputy Minister Haritatos, reflecting the resilience of Zimbabwean farmers.
The livestock sector is on the mend following significant drought-related losses.
Government has introduced interventions such as fodder production, climate-resilient breeds, and solar-powered water infrastructure in rural areas, which are vital for recovery.
Deputy Minister Haritatos, who arrived in Berlin on Sunday, was received by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Germany, Alice Mashingaidze.
He reiterated the importance of continued engagement with partners throughout the conference.
“We need to work together to ensure that our food systems are resilient and sustainable,” he said.
The outcomes of the summit are expected to guide international policy on food systems and reinforce the right to food as a global development priority. In this critical moment, Zimbabwe stands ready to lead the charge for sustainable agriculture and food security, calling on the world to unite against the challenges posed by climate change.
